THE PRESIDENT: It has been my honor to welcome four amazing individuals to
the Oval Office. These four folks are from the continent of Africa.
They're here to receive the National Endowment for Democracy's award, which
is an award to honor courage and fortitude and strength in promoting
freedom.

And we have had an amazing discussion. My spirits are enriched by talking
to freedom lovers and freedom fighters. We've got a man from the Sudan who
talked eloquently about free press. We had a doctor from Zimbabwe who
talked about the human condition and the need for the United States to make
sure we stay engaged with the democracy movements and help people who are
hungry.

I talked to two really unusual ladies, one from the Democratic Republic of
Congo. She is very concerned about free elections, and she wants to make
sure people in the rural part of her country are represented in free
elections.

And then we had an amazing discussion with a lady from Sierra Leone, but
who's working in Liberia. And one of the most amazing stories is when she
recounted the fact that she was escaping Liberia in the mid-1990s and had
to get on a fishing boat to escape the authorities who wanted to bring --
to do her harm because she expressed her desire for people to be free.

Again, I want to thank all of you for doing what you have done. I'm proud
to be in your company. I'm proud to have you here in the Oval Office. I
thank you for being witness to this universal fact that liberty is
universal in its application, that people everywhere desire to be free,
that freedom is not just -- belongs to the American citizens, freedom
belongs to everybody. And you're courageous in your fight and your desire
to spread the concept of freedom.

Congratulations on winning a very important award. Congratulations on
being so courageous. Thank you all for coming.